Spider and wasp neurotoxins: pharmacological and biochemical aspects.

Venoms from several arthropods are recognized as useful sources of bioactive substances, such as peptides, acylpolyamines, and alkaloids, which show a wide range of pharmacological effects on synaptic transmission. In this work, we summarize and compile several biochemical and pharmacological aspects related to spider and wasp neurotoxins. Their inhibitory and stimulatory actions on ion channels, receptors, and transporters involved in mammalian and insect neurotransmission are considered.